traverse

[ trav-ers, truh-vurs ]

verb (used with object)

, trav·ersed, trav·ers·ing.

1. to pass or move over, along, or through.

   Synonyms: cross

2. to go to and fro over or along.
3. to extend across or over:

   A bridge traverses the stream.

4. to go up, down, or across (a rope, mountain, hill, etc.) at an angle:

   The climbers traversed the east face of the mountain.

5. to ski across (a hill or slope).
6. to cause to move laterally.
7. to look over, examine, or consider carefully; survey; consider.
8. to go counter to; obstruct; thwart.
9. to contradict or deny.

   Synonyms: challenge, dispute, gainsay

10. Law.
    1. (in the law of pleading) to deny formally (an allegation of fact set forth in a previous pleading).
    2. to join issue upon.
11. to turn and point (a gun) in any direction.

verb (used without object)

, trav·ersed, trav·ers·ing.

1. to pass along or go across something; cross:

   a point in the river where we could traverse.

2. to ski across a hill or slope on a diagonal.
3. to turn laterally, as a gun.
4. Fencing. to glide the blade toward the hilt of the contestant's foil while applying pressure to the blade.

noun

1. the act of passing across, over, or through.
2. something that crosses, obstructs, or thwarts; obstacle.
3. a transversal or similar line.
4. a place where one may traverse or cross; crossing.
5. Architecture. a transverse gallery or loft of communication in a church or other large building.
6. a bar, strip, rod, or other structural part placed or extending across; crosspiece; crossbar.
7. a railing, lattice, or screen serving as a barrier.
8. Nautical.
   1. the zigzag track of a vessel compelled by contrary winds or currents to sail on different courses.
   2. each of the runs in a single direction made in such sailing.
9. Fortification.
   1. a defensive barrier, parapet, or the like, placed transversely.
   2. a defensive barrier thrown across the terreplein or the covered way of a fortification to protect it from enfilade fire.
10. Gunnery. the horizontal turning of a gun so as to make it point in any required direction.
11. Machinery.
    1. the motion of a lathe tool or grinding wheel along a piece of work.
    2. a part moving along a piece of work in this way, as the carriage of a lathe.
12. Surveying. a series of intersecting surveyed lines whose lengths and angles of intersection, measured at instrument stations, are recorded graphically on a map and in numerical form in data tables. Compare closed traverse.
13. Law. a formal denial of some matter of fact alleged by the other side.

adjective

1. lying, extending, or passing across; transverse.

traverse

/ trəˈvɜːs; ˈtrævɜːs /

verb

1. to pass or go over or back and forth over (something); cross
2. tr to go against; oppose; obstruct
3. to move or cause to move sideways or crosswise
4. tr to extend or reach across
5. to turn (an artillery gun) laterally on its pivot or mount or (of an artillery gun) to turn laterally
6. tr to look over or examine carefully
7. tr law to deny (an allegation of fact), as in pleading
8. intr fencing to slide one's blade towards an opponent's hilt while applying pressure against his blade
9. mountaineering to move across (a face) horizontally
10. tr nautical to brace (a yard) fore and aft

noun

1. something being or lying across, such as a transom
2. a gallery or loft inside a building that crosses it
3. maths another name for transversal
4. an obstruction or hindrance
5. fortifications a protective bank or other barrier across a trench or rampart
6. a railing, screen, or curtain
7. the act or an instance of traversing or crossing
8. a path or road across
9. nautical the zigzag course of a vessel tacking frequently
10. law the formal denial of a fact alleged in the opposite party's pleading
11. surveying a survey consisting of a series of straight lines, the length of each and the angle between them being measured
12. mountaineering a horizontal move across a face

adjective

1. being or lying across; transverse

adverb

1. an archaic word for across

Derived Forms

• traˈversal, noun
• ˈtraversable, adjective
• ˈtraverser, noun

Other Words From

• tra·vers·a·ble adjective
• tra·vers·al noun
• tra·vers·er noun
• non·tra·vers·a·ble adjective
• re·trav·erse verb retraversed retraversing
• un·tra·vers·a·ble adjective
• un·trav·ersed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of traverse¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English traversen, from Middle French traverser ”to cross,” from Late Latin trānsversāre, derivative of Latin trānsversus ( trans-, versus ); (noun) Middle English travers(e), from Middle French traverse (from Latin trānsversa “something lying across,” feminine of trānsversus ) and travers (from Latin trānsversum passage across, neuter of trānsversus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of traverse¹

C14: from Old French traverser , from Late Latin trānsversāre , from Latin trānsversus transverse

Example Sentences

To avoid striking the Civic, the driver of the Rolls veered to the left into oncoming lanes and collided with a Chevrolet Traverse before fleeing on foot, police said.

From Los Angeles Times

He co-founded one of the state’s first conservation organizations, the Little Traverse Conservancy.

From Salon

The Rolls-Royce driver swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid the collision, ran into a Chevy Traverse and crashed into the curb.

From Los Angeles Times

The bridge serves as a key route for thousands of commuters who traverse the port complex between Long Beach and San Pedro, with many residents using it as an alternative coastal route to the 405 Freeway farther inland.

From Los Angeles Times

As she and Nicky traverse 18th Century America, she feeds on witches and he gives her an unconditional place to put the love that her own mother and coven so traumatically discarded to their own peril.

From Salon

Related Words

• criss-cross
• cross
• cut across
• pass through
• span
• travel over